At 19 weeks pregnant, you’re nearly at the halfway mark! Your pregnancy journey continues as your baby grows and changes day by day. Keep reading to discover all that 19 weeks has to offer, and pick up insights on your baby’s growth and development as well as tips on dealing with your pregnancy symptoms.
Highlights at 19 Weeks Pregnant
Check out a few highlights and things to think about during this week of pregnancy:
Your baby is about the size of a mango at 19 weeks.
You may feel your baby moving at 19 weeks pregnant, but if not now, watch out for those little belly flutters in the coming weeks.
Your baby's kidneys can make urine.
With your baby bump becoming more prominent, think about sending out pregnancy announcements or even planning a gender reveal if you’ve just found out the gender.
Baby names may be on your mind now that you're nearly halfway through your pregnancy. Check out our Baby Name Generator below for some inspiration:
RELATED PREGNANCY TOOL
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Girl
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19 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development
Your baby is accomplishing quite a lot this week and looking more and more like the little one you’re going to meet after birth! Here are some of the exciting developmental steps and changes at 19 weeks pregnant:
If you're carrying a girl, her reproductive system is already well established. The vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are all in place, and the ovaries contain more than 6 million primitive egg cells. That number will have dropped to about 1 million when she is born.
If you're having a boy, his testicles have formed and have been secreting testosterone since about week 10 of your pregnancy. The external genitals are continuing to grow.
The skin starts to produce a waxy coating called vernix caseosa. Made of oils secreted by the skin, dead cells, and lanugo (the fine hair that covers the body), vernix protects your little one's skin from the effects of floating in amniotic fluid. Most of it will disappear before birth, but preterm babies are often born still covered with a lot of vernix.
(Video) 19 weeks of pregnancy symptom and baby development | Health Care LoverYour little one's kidneys have now developed enough to form urine, and the urine is excreted into the amniotic fluid.
Around the time you’re 19 weeks pregnant, your little one begins to sleep and wake in more regular patterns and may also wake up to movement and noises.
How Many Months Is 19 Weeks Pregnant?
Weeks or months? Your healthcare provider will usually refer to your pregnancy in terms of weeks, but you may be curious to know how that translates into months. Though there are various methods of dividing the 40 weeks of pregnancy into months, when you’re 19 weeks pregnant, you’re probably five months pregnant.
How Big Is a Baby at 19 Weeks Pregnant?
When you’re 19 weeks pregnant, the fetus is about the size of a mango. If you have a checkup this week (or sometime soon), your healthcare provider will probably measure the height of your uterus to check on your baby’s growth. This is called the fundal height measurement.
Your Baby: What Does 19 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
How your baby looks at 19 weeks can be easier to imagine with the help of a visual, so check out the illustration below:
Your Body at 19 Weeks
At 19 weeks pregnant, you may feel more aches and pains as your bump grows, and your feet might swell up a little. Or you may experience dizziness, nasal congestion, and backaches.
Still, you’ll be thrilled when you start to feel a flutter or a kick as your little one grows and starts getting active.
If you’re lucky enough to have periods of increased energy, then you might like to use those bursts to do things like putting together your baby shower registry and thinking about essential baby items you need to get before your little one arrives.
Even if you do have some extra energy, try not to overdo it. Make time to rest and relax whenever you can.
19 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms
At 19 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:
Skin changes. The dark patches you may have on your nose, cheeks, and forehead are a common condition of pregnancy called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." Hormones are to blame for this blotchiness, which affects some pregnant women. Pregnancy hormones are also responsible for the linea nigra, the dark line running down your belly to your pubic bone. Both chloasma and the linea nigra will gradually fade after you give birth. Exposure to the sun can darken the pigments in your skin even more, so be sure to use sunscreen, wear a hat and protective clothing, or stay in the shade.
Round ligament pain. As your uterus grows, the round ligaments supporting it have to stretch. Occasionally, at 19 weeks pregnant or at another point in pregnancy, these stretched-out ligaments will cause a sharp pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen, usually on one side or the other. It's probably most noticeable when you change positions or get up suddenly. Rest usually offers the best relief. Call your healthcare provider if the pain comes with a fever, chills, painful urination, or bleeding, or if the pain is severe.
Lower back pain. Backaches during pregnancy are very common, especially from the halfway point of your pregnancy onward. This is due to your growing uterus and the hormonal changes going on in your body. As your center of gravity shifts, your expanding uterus strains your back muscles. You can take some measures to ease back pain at 19 weeks pregnant, such as doing exercises that stretch and strengthen back muscles, wearing abdominal support garments, and using a heating pad to soothe sore muscles.
Congestion and nosebleeds. Around 19 weeks of pregnancy or in the weeks to come, you may find yourself with a stuffy or runny nose. Your hormone levels have increased, and your body is making extra blood, which can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell up, leading to congestion and maybe even nosebleeds.
Dizziness. You may feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded at this stage of your pregnancy due to changes in your circulation. You may have less blood flow to your upper body and head. Try to avoid standing for a long time and move slowly when changing positions. Lie down on your side if you’re feeling faint and stay hydrated.
How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 19 Weeks?
At 19 weeks pregnant your baby bump might be more obvious! Although every pregnancy is unique, you may have noticed a lot of growth in recent weeks as your uterus continues to expand. By now, your uterus might be nearly reaching your navel and you may notice changes in your center of gravity, making you feel a bit clumsier.
Your healthcare provider will help you if you’re worried about weight gain. You can also use our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator to help you stay on track.
Whether you're showing much or not, you may be curious to know if you can feel your baby move at 19 weeks. Around 18 to 20 weeks you may feel your baby move for the first time, and these tiny belly flutters are known as quickening. If you're sensing this type of fetal movement at 19 weeks, you can expect those sensations to become stronger and easier to detect as your baby continues to grow.
What Does 19 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?
For a better idea of what your belly might look like around 19 weeks pregnant, when you’re in your fifth month of pregnancy, check out the image below.
19 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider
As your pregnancy progresses, you have a lot to do and a lot to think about, from staying fit and healthy to getting a good night’s sleep. Check out our list below.
Get moving—every little bit of gentle exercise helps. Exercise is beneficial for you and your baby, among other things helping to reduce stress levels. It's important not to overdo it, however. Walking, swimming, and even yoga or Pilates are great choices during pregnancy. Remember to wear shoes with good support and a well-fitted sports bra when exercising. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right form of exercise during your pregnancy.
As your bump gets bigger, you may find it’s getting in the way of a good night’s rest. Sleeping on your back from the second trimester onward puts weight on your spine and back muscles, and it can also compress major blood vessels, which can leave you feeling dizzy. Try to sleep on your side with both legs bent, and place a pillow between your knees. You can also put a pillow under your belly. If you wake up in the middle of the night on your back, just go back to sleeping on your side. Learn more about sleeping while pregnant throughout the trimesters.
If someone is throwing you a baby shower in the third trimester, it’s time to get your shower registry organized! The host of your shower will want to include the details to include in the invitations, and the invitations will need to be sent out well in advance to give guests enough time to set aside the date and buy a gift. Use our interactive baby shower registry checklist to help you remember to register for everything you’ll need.
Use this time to think about what baby gear you’ll need and to shop around so that you know which specific products you’d like (whether it’s to register for, or to buy yourself). Ask other parents for advice and look at product reviews. You can also look at the best baby products as voted for by Pampers parents. Keep in mind, you may not really need everything that is advertised as being helpful during the newborn phase. Now is a good time to ask other parents for their tips on things you can easily go without.
If you want to find out your baby’s gender, you'll likely have this opportunity at around 18, 19, or 20 weeks during the mid-pregnancy ultrasound exam. Check out our article on what determines the sex of a baby if you’re interested in the science behind gender. Or have some lighthearted fun by trying our Chinese Gender Predictor.
19 Weeks Pregnant: Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Your healthcare provider is always there for you, so feel free to consult them about any questions or concerns you have now and in the weeks to come. Some common questions at 19 weeks pregnant include:
What is the size and position of the baby at 19 weeks pregnant?
What exercise is safe at this stage of pregnancy?
What could be the cause of uncomfortable symptoms like severe back pain, abdominal pain, painful urination, or fever?
What are the risks and benefits of any genetic tests that may be offered during the second trimester, including amniocentesis?
Will a mid-pregnancy ultrasound exam be performed at 19 weeks, and what information will it provide?
19 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist
□ Use sunscreen, wear hats and protective clothing, or stay in the shade if going outside.
□ If you don't have health insurance, go to HealthCare.gov to learn about Medicaid, CHIP, and other options available in your state.
□ Talk to your healthcare provider about an exercise plan.
□ Rest frequently, especially if you’re experiencing round ligament pain.
□ Start your search for a pediatrician.
□ Now that you’re almost halfway through your pregnancy, it’s time to discover your pregnancy personality! Take our just-for-fun pregnancy personality quiz to find out.
How We Wrote This ArticleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
FAQs
What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at 19 weeks? ›
- tiredness and sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
- stretch marks (see week 17 for information about stretch marks)
- swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
A screening scan should be performed at around 20–22 weeks to exclude any structural abnormalities. You may even begin to feel the baby's movements — known as "quickening".
What is baby development in 19 week of pregnancy? ›Your little one is about the size of a mango. The kidneys are able to start making urine. Your little one is moving around and you may be able to feel their movements. Your baby's skin is starting to produce vernix caseosa, a creamy film that acts as a protective layer.
How much of the baby is developed at 19 weeks? ›Your Baby at Week 19
Your baby's sensitive skin is now covered in vernix caseosa, a greasy, white, cheese-like coating that protects his skin from being wrinkled at birth. Your baby's lungs are developing, with the main airways (called bronchioles) beginning to form this week.
In a viable pregnancy, the ultrasound will reveal that the pregnancy is in your uterus and has a healthy fetal heart rate. If the embryo has a heart rate that is too slow (fetal bradycardia) for its gestational age, you have a higher risk of miscarriage.
How do I know my fetus is still alive? ›Most women less than 20 weeks of pregnancy do not notice any symptoms of a fetal demise. The test used to check for a fetal demise in the second trimester is an ultrasound examination to see if the baby is moving and growing. Fetal demise is diagnosed when the ultrasound examination shows no fetal heart activity.
Can my baby feel me rub my belly at 19 weeks? ›Sensation. After around 18 weeks, babies like to sleep in the womb while their mother is awake, since movement can rock them to sleep. They can feel pain at 22 weeks, and at 26 weeks they can move in response to a hand being rubbed on the mother's belly.
What causes miscarriage in 5 months pregnancy? ›If a miscarriage happens after the first trimester of pregnancy, it may be the result of things like an underlying health condition in the mother. These late miscarriages may also be caused by an infection around the baby, which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding.
What should I avoid at 19 weeks pregnant? ›Now that you're in your second trimester, you might find that you experience a bit of heartburn or indigestion. It's all down to those pregnancy hormones again, and pressure from your growing baby. You can reduce it by avoiding spicy foods, citrus juices, coffee and chocolate.
Does sleeping during pregnancy help baby grow? ›Sleeping for at least seven to eight hours is important for the health of the mother and the baby. Disrupted maternal sleep is often associated with poor pregnancy outcomes like preterm babies, growth restrictions and more. However, oversleeping can also have a detrimental impact on the health of the child.
Has a 19 week fetus ever survived? ›
World Record For Premature Birth Goes To Alabama Baby Born 19 Weeks Early. Curtis Means, now 16 months old, was awarded the Guinness World Record for youngest surviving premature birth, after only 132 days of gestation.
Where do you feel baby kicks at 19 weeks? ›16 weeks to 19 weeks
They may feel like gentle puffs or bubbles of air being released, or you may notice a soft swirling or rolling sensation in your belly (NHS 2021, RCOG 2019, Smith et al 2021).
- swollen and bleeding gums.
- pains on the side of your belly caused by your expanding womb (known as "round ligament pains")
- headaches.
- nosebleeds.
- bloating (read ways to cope with bloating on week 10's page)
- constipation (read about how to treat constipation on week 16's page)
Eat breakfast every day. Eat foods high in fiber, and drink fluids (particularly water) to avoid constipation. Avoid alcohol, raw or undercooked fish, fish high in mercury, undercooked meat and poultry, and soft cheeses. Do moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week during your pregnancy.
What are the early signs of unhealthy pregnancy? ›- Severe nausea and throwing up.
- Severe belly pain that doesn't go away.
- Baby's movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge after pregnancy.
- Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm.
- Overwhelming tiredness.
While many miscarriages begin with symptoms of pain and bleeding, there are often no such signs with a missed miscarriage. Pregnancy hormones may continue to be high for some time after the baby has died, so you may continue to feel pregnant and a pregnancy test may well still show positive.
What week is stillbirth most common? ›At or after 40 weeks, the risk of stillbirth increases, especially for women 35 or older. Their risk, research shows, is doubled from 39 weeks to 40 and is more than six times as high at 42 weeks.
Can you have a miscarriage without bleeding at 20 weeks? ›Pregnancy losses do not always involve bleeding. In fact, a woman may not experience any symptoms and only learn of the loss only when a doctor cannot detect a heartbeat during a routine ultrasound. Bleeding during pregnancy loss occurs when the uterus empties.
Which month is most critical in pregnancy? ›First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period. Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester.
Miscarriage, development problems or health conditions at 20 weeks. Most 20-week scans show that babies are developing well. It might help you to know that the 20-week scan is unlikely to show that there has been a miscarriage. After about 13 weeks, miscarriages are uncommon.
Why can't I feel my baby move at 20 weeks? ›
You should start to feel your baby move between around 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks. If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. They'll check your baby's heartbeat and movements.
Should I feel flutters everyday at 19 weeks? ›There's no set number of baby movements you should feel. The important thing is to get to know your baby's usual pattern of movements. Once you start to feel your baby's movements, you should feel your baby moving right up until they're born.
How does my baby react when I sneeze? ›The baby is well-protected in the uterus, and even a hard sneeze will not affect the baby.
When should I start putting oil on my pregnant belly? ›Every pregnancy is different, but it can't hurt to start using belly oil during your first trimester. The skin can become dry and painful, and you'll have a changing body before you know it. Like with the skin on your face, keeping the pregnant belly skin moisturized from the beginning has positive effects.
What are the odds of miscarriage at 19 weeks? ›Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks is called stillbirth. Miscarriage is very common.
Which sleeping position can cause miscarriage? ›Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
What week is the highest risk of miscarriage? ›Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of a miscarriage might include: Vaginal spotting or bleeding.
When should I stop bending during pregnancy? ›Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
How much can you lift at 19 weeks pregnant? ›Also, the AMA guidelines do not differentiate weight limits with regard to duration of exposure. Lifting more than 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted repetitively for the first half of pregnancy (up to Week 20) and intermittently through Week 30.
What foods help baby grow in womb? ›Protein — Promote growth
Protein is crucial for your baby's growth throughout pregnancy. Good sources: Lean meat, poultry, seafood and eggs are great sources of protein. Other options include beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products.
What makes fetus grow faster? ›
Genetic factors and maternal conditions such as obesity or diabetes can cause fetal macrosomia. Rarely, a baby might have a medical condition that makes him or her grow faster and larger. Sometimes it's unknown what causes a baby to be larger than average.
Is it bad to lay down all day while pregnant? ›Are there any risks from bed rest? The biggest risk for women on bed rest is blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in your leg or lungs. The best way to reduce your risk of these clots is to regularly flex your feet and to stretch and move your legs. Bed rest may also make your muscles weak.
What causes fetal death at 19 weeks? ›A stillbirth is the death of a fetus in the uterus after week 20 of pregnancy. The reasons go unexplained for 1 in 3 cases. The rest may be caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, high blood pressure, infections, birth defects, or lifestyle choices.
What is the earliest a baby can be born safely? ›Babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later. Being pregnant 39 weeks gives your baby's body all the time it needs to develop. Your baby needs 39 weeks in the womb because: Important organs, like your baby's brain, lungs and liver, need time to develop.
What is the earliest born surviving baby? ›At what week in pregnancy can a baby survive outside the womb? The earliest a baby has been born and survived is 21 weeks and 5 days. Two babies born prematurely hold the record for this.
How should my belly feel at 19 weeks? ›As your uterus grows, the round ligaments supporting it have to stretch. Occasionally, at 19 weeks pregnant or at another point in pregnancy, these stretched-out ligaments will cause a sharp pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen, usually on one side or the other.
What to expect at 5 months pregnant? ›Heartburn, constipation, breast changes, dizziness, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, and gum bleeding are common. Your breasts may be as much as 2 cup sizes bigger by now.
When do baby kicks get stronger? ›Early in your pregnancy, you may just feel a few flutters every now and then. But as your baby grows -- usually by the end of the second trimester -- the kicks should grow stronger and more frequent. Studies show that by the third trimester, the baby moves about 30 times each hour.
How do I know if my second trimester is healthy? ›- Any current symptoms or discomforts.
- Your weight.
- Your blood pressure.
- Urine test. ...
- Growth, size and development of the fetus.
- Size of the uterus. ...
- Height of the fundus (top of the uterus), starting at 20 weeks of gestation.
- Fetal heartbeat.
Ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks
You might have an ultrasound scan this week to check that your baby is growing healthily and to check the position of your placenta. This detailed ultrasound is one of the routine tests in pregnancy.
Should I be worried about not feeling my baby at 19 weeks? ›
You should start to feel your baby move between around 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks. If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. They'll check your baby's heartbeat and movements.
What can go wrong in 2nd trimester? ›- Bleeding.
- Preterm labor.
- PPROM.
- Cervical incompetence.
- Preeclampsia.
- Injury.
- raw meat.
- raw eggs.
- raw fish.
- fish with high levels of mercury, including swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel.
- unpasteurized dairy products.
- soft cheeses, such as Brie, blue cheese, and feta.
- ready-to-eat meats and seafood.
- Elective ultrasounds. Your baby does a lot of growing in the second trimester, so there's certainly plenty to see. ...
- Sleeping or doing exercises on your back. ...
- Hot tubs and saunas. ...
- Hot yoga. ...
- Raw or undercooked foods. ...
- Unpasteurized dairy and juices.